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United States Patent | 5,174,487 |
Rothfuss ,   et al. | December 29, 1992 |
A unique hernia repair stapler is described which allows the forming of staples to attach prosthetics to tissue, or to approximate herniated tissue. The staple is useful in endoscopic operations and may be rotatable or stationary. The stapler has a unique forming and ejecting mechanism; as well, there is the availability of a loading mechanism useful for both cartridges and magazines of staples. An improved staple shape allows for better staple alignment, especially in a multiple load device.
Inventors: | Rothfuss; Robert G. (Bellevue, KY); Schulze; Dale R. (Lebanon, OH); Moore; Michael (Cincinnati, OH); MacLees; John (Goshen, OH); Coletti; Paul A. (Somerset, NJ) |
Assignee: | Ethicon, Inc. (Somerville, NJ) |
Appl. No.: | 680661 |
Filed: | April 4, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: | 227/176.1; 227/19 |
Intern'l Class: | A61B 017/068 |
Field of Search: | 227/175,176,177,178,179,180,181,19,182,902,901,121 |
4523707 | Jun., 1985 | Blake et al. | 227/121. |
4607638 | Aug., 1986 | Crainich | 128/335. |
4747531 | May., 1988 | Brinkerhoff et al. | 227/19. |
4787387 | Nov., 1988 | Burbank et al. | 227/176. |
4796793 | Jan., 1989 | Smith et al. | 227/121. |
4807628 | Feb., 1989 | Peters et al. | 227/19. |
4919320 | Apr., 1990 | Storace | 227/19. |
5080275 | Jan., 1992 | Heimerl et al. | 227/176. |